De La Salle University overcame a 21-point deficit and Precious Momowei’s 42-point eruption to escape past University of the East with a 111-110 overtime win in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday, Oct. 15. Trailing by 21, 54-75, in the third quarter, the Green Archers slowly clawed their way back to force overtime, then leaned on Jacob Cortez -- who scored five of his 26 points in the extra period -- to secure the win. The victory snapped La Salle’s two-game slide, posting its third win against three defeats. UE, on the other hand, squandered what could have been a commanding victory and absorbed its sixth straight loss in as many games to stay at the bottom of the standings. “When I saw Kean getting stretchered off the court, it motivated us to step up [and] not only did I step up, everyone did today,” said Cortez. “We\'ll started wrong, but it’s all about how you end.” La Salle actually had a chance to close out the win early, but a three-point attempt from Cortez in the last six seconds in the regulation bounced off the rim. The Warriors even had the advantage at the start of the extra period, draining five straight points for a 105-100 lead, but Cortez was there to the rescue in the crunch, scoring his own five straight points for a 110-107 edge, 18 seconds to go. The Warriors made some last-ditch effort with Abate rifling a triple in the final two ticks, but they ran out of time. Aside from posting his best scoring game, the 5-foot-11 Cortez also hauled two rebounds and dished out five assists and four steals. Mike Philips also starred for the Archers with a double-double effort of 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Earl Abadam and Kean Baclaan, who stretchered out after Wello Lingolingo’s accidentally fell on his right knee in the fourth frame, chipped in 18 and 17 points, respectively. “It feels good to win, but honestly, I’m just praying for Kean right now,” said Phillips. “Everyone gathered together and said we had to win it for Kean.” Momowei, who was the first player in UAAP to score 40-plus points in eight years, carried the fight for UE by also collaring 13 rebounds, while Abate and Lingolingo, who ultimately rejected due to an incident with Baclaan where he eventually called for an unsportsmanlike foul and technical prior, also exploded for 25 and 24 points, respectively, but their efforts went down the drain. Up next for La Salle is its last year’s finals nemesis and reigning champion University of the Philippines, while UE tries to bounce back against Far Eastern University. Both games are set this Sunday, Oct. 19, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The scores: DLSU (111) – Cortez 26, Abadam 18, Phillips 18, Baclaan 17, Pablo 8, Marasigan 8, Gollena 4, Macalalag 4, Nwankwo 4, Daep 3, Dungo 1, Melencio 0. UE (110) – Momowei 42, Abate 25, Lingolingo 24, Caoile 6. Mulingtapang 4, Tañedo 4, Datumalim 3, Robles 2, Malaga 0, Lagat 0, Cabero 0. Quarterscores: 23-33, 48-60, 74-72, 98-98, 111-110